The St.

Petersburg Audubon Society

WingSpan March 2009

Celebrating 100 Years of Conservation

1909 - 2009

Calendar of Events -
“FLORIDA’S NATIVE,
March - April ‘09
WILDLIFE-FRIENDLY PLANTS”
Mar 14 - Florida Specialties Bus Trip - Back by popular
demand! See newsletter for details.
Special Guest Speaker, Bruce Turley
Mar. 14-15 - Boyd Hill Wildlife Weekend - 1101 Country
Club Way S., St. Pete. Visit www.stpete.org/boyd for more
from Largo’s Wilcox Nursery
information. Call Wanda Dean to volunteer, 321-3995.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Mar. 27-29 - Audubon Academy - Haines City, FL - 7:00 p.m.
Audubon leadership training, field trips, and special Science Center, 7701 - 22nd Ave. N.
speakers. (See www.stpeteaudubon.org)
St. Petersburg
Mar. 28 - “Here Birdie Birdies” - Ft. DeSoto Park
(W/22/91) - Meet 8 a.m. at the flagpole at park
headquarters. We’ll look for “early” migrants. Who knows,
we just might find “the good one!” Leader: TBA. *Contact: “Making your yard a Florida-friendly habitat” is how
Judi Hopkins at 526-3725 or email at focus997@verizon.net March’s guest speaker describes the topic for the March
17 meeting. Guest speaker Bruce Turley, from Wilcox
Apr. 3 - “75th Anniversary of the Florida Coastal Islands Nursery, will tell you how to turn your yard into a low-
Sanctuaries” See newsletter for details. maintenance, low-impact habitat, wildlife-friendly
environment through the
Apr. 4 - “Spring has Sprung” - Honeymoon Island State use of readily available
Park (W/20/83) - Meet 7:30 a.m., parking lot behind native shrubs and
McDonald’s, Alt. US 19 and Curlew Rd., at park entrance. flowers.
$5/car. Leader: Lillian Kenney. Contact: *Judi Hopkins.

For 12 years Bruce has

Apr. 18 - “St. Petersburg Audubon Centennial helped homeowners
Celebration Banquet” identify and use native
species encouraging
R.S.V.P. to Judi Hopkins at (727)526-3725 butterflies and birds to
Apr. 25 - SPAS Centennial Opening -- area backyards.
St. Petersburg History Museum - 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Apr. 25 - “Round Robin Birding”- Ft. DeSoto Park

(W/22/91) - Meeting place, flagpole, park headquarters, at Bring your questions.
8:00 a.m. to form teams and receive instructions. Maximize Map out your thoughts.
the birding potential of 4 different locations in the park. Bruce will have
Leader: Lee Snyder. Contact: *Judi Hopkins. examples and nursery
items for sale.
Apr. 25 - Marine Quest - Florida Fish & Wildlife Research
Institute open house, 100 - 8th Ave. S.E., St. Petersburg.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Call Wanda Dean, 321-3995, to volunteer.
 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
by Mauri Peterson

“We will be known forever by the tracks we leave” – Native American Proverb

How utterly profound. This can apply to each of us individually right on up to mankind as a whole, and to our
effects on our planet. And it can be applied in so many ways. Literally, we leave tracks on the earth when we walk,
but more subtlety we leave our mark by the way we live each day. We try to include in this newsletter ways to conserve
and “go green.” More emphasis has been made at our meetings in the past year or two to recycle, use less paper and
styrofoam, and to use recycled paper on all our printed materials.
Another way SPAS is leaving tracks is in our involvement with local environmental issues, our scholarships for
teachers to the Audubon camps, printing and distributing educational materials, and the community outreach that
happens every spring when the Least Terns return to beaches and rooftops to nest. On a national level, we’ve seen
what’s been happening during the last eight years, and although I can’t blame Global Warming/Climate Change on the
last administration, it remains to be seen if we will be able to change directions. It’s a tall order and one that won’t
happen over night. But it can begin with each of us doing our part to leave tracks that have the least impact on our
earth, but at the same time shows the world that our track record is one of conservation, restoration, and preservation.

What is your track record?

Pinellas Birds by Ron Smith

With March already upon us birders
are gearing up for spring migration. In
fact, many bird species are already
showing up; Purple Martins, Chuck-will’s-
widows, Brown Thrashers, and Northern
Parulas to name just a few.
By the end of March you should
expect to see Barn Swallows, Northern
Rough-winged Swallows, Swallow-tailed
Kites, White-eyed and Yellow-throated
vireos, Hooded and Worm-eating
warblers, and maybe even an exciting
shorebird or two like Buff-breasted
Sandpiper and/or Upland’s Sandpiper.
Locations like Honeymoon Island
State Park, Fort DeSoto County Park,
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, and Dunedin
Hammock City Park, are always great
places to get to when poor weather
pushes through the area and grounds
birds.
As March makes way for April,
expect to see the last of the wintering
Yellow-rumped Warblers and the many
ducks that have called Pinellas home the
past few months. Wintering American
Robins usually move out by the end of
March, but for some reason ‘tis the
season to see many Cedar Waxwings.
Look for them wherever berries are
found.
RECENT SIGHTINGS: There
were good numbers of shorebirds found
all winter throughout Pinellas at many
locations; Lassing Park, Pinellas Point,
Fort DeSoto, Shell Key, and at
Honeymoon Island State Park (HISP)
where 12 Whimbrels were noted on
January 15th and 96 Wilson’s Plovers
were counted on January 16th. A nice
flock of 15 Green-winged Teal spent the
winter at HISP and three Greater Scaup A beautiful, male Nashville Warbler
rested there in late January. was spotted at Lake Seminole County
At least two Purple Gallinules Park in late January and a Northern
Waterthrush was discovered at Fort
wintered at Roosevelt Wetlands, a place
where they nested last summer. Up to DeSoto in early February. Both a male
Painted Bunting and a Field Sparrow
three Black-necked Stilts were seen
were photographed, mid-Pinellas, and
regularly near 118th Avenue and 28th
Street North throughout the winter. A Cedar Waxwings began to make
themselves seen throughout the county
Western Kingbird was seen several
by mid-February.
times in late January at Kapok Park in
Clearwater, as was a single American Very exciting was the discovery by
Dave Gagne of a “rare for our area”
Bittern.
LeConte’s Sparrow on January 28th at
HISP. It was still being seen through the
middle of February and was cooperative
in that it had its picture taken several
times. Interesting is the fact that at least
four Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows
were found in Pinellas this winter at three
different locations.
Printed on Recycled Paper
 CONSERVATION NEWS
by Dave Kandz
Reward Grows for Information on Bald Eagle Shooter
A volunteer with the Suncoast "It is a very sad day for a lot of
Seabird Sanctuary, responding to people," said Barb. "We can count the
residents' calls, rescued a Bald Eagle number of eagles and when we lose one,
near 84th Avenue and 113th Street on it is significant."
January 27th. The bird had been shot The reward for information leading
with either a pellet or a bullet while flying, to the arrest and conviction of whoever
said Barb Walker of the Clearwater killed the male Bald Eagle has grown to
Audubon Society, with the projectile $5475, due to donations by the
piercing one wing before lodging in the Clearwater and St. Petersburg Audubon
other. Societies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
The bird died despite attempts to Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
save it. Walker said the eagle died of Animals, Florida Voices for Animals, the
blood infection. Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, and other
concerned citizens and organizations.
Citizens who want to help by
providing tips should contact Janet Rider
of USFWS at 352-429-1037 or email
Janet_Rider@fws.gov.
Organizations or individuals who
wish to make reward pledges should
contact the Clearwater Audubon Society
at 727-442-9140. Please leave your
name and number so a representative
can return your call. If individuals would
like to share sightings of bald eagles in
Pinellas County or have questions
regarding bald eagles they may call 727-
431-2856.

Don’t Forget to Thank Governor Crist for Preserving Florida Forever

After the Florida Legislature slashed funding for the
crucial land acquisition and preservation program during the
special session, Governor Crist exercised his line-item veto
authority and restored funding for both Florida Forever and
sorely needed education programs. The Governor expressed
concerns that cuts to Florida Forever could set a dangerous
precedent for future funding of the program, breaking Florida's
30-year commitment of annual appropriations to preserving
Florida's special places.
Florida is at the forefront of the nation's land protection
efforts and continues to serve as a model for other states.
Governor Crist's veto restores the cut Florida Forever program
for fiscal year 2008-09; the future beyond that is murky. A quick
note to "Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com" (with a copy to your
state Senator and House representative) expressing your
support will help ensure Florida Forever continues...............
...........forever!

Publix Supports Least Terns

Last Spring, hundreds of baby Least Terns plunged to their Publix contracted with Mark
doom from their rooftop nursery at the Albertson's at West Bay Webb Construction of Lakeland
and Indian Rocks Road. Frantic employees returned surviving and fitted the roof with a "chick
chicks to the roof, but many did not survive the fall, and others fence" around the perimeter,
perished in wire mesh designed to exclude larger birds from coverings for downspouts, and
rooftop air conditioning equipment. pallets to give them shade and
shelter from predators.
Alerted to the bird's plight by Audubon volunteer Pat
Edmond, Albertson's management committed to improving
rooftop conditions for the threatened Terns. But before action “It's important for us that we protect them," said Shannon
could be taken the store was acquired by Publix. What would Patten, a Publix spokeswoman. "It's the right thing to do."
happen to the Terns?
So drop by the Publix at 2770 West Bay Drive, and thank
Publix stepped up! "I'm absolutely stunned at how eager those fine folks for helping our precious urban shorebirds!
Publix was to help us with this," Edmond said. "They
immediately said this was very much in line with their corporate
efforts to protect the environment."

Thanks to our Beach Nesting Bird Sponsor Progress Energy!!

A huge “Thanks!” to our corporate sponsor Progress Energy. With a stated environmental policy of being a good
steward of our natural resources while providing affordable and reliable energy to customers, Progress Energy
provides electrical service to 3.1 million customers in the Carolinas and Florida. If you would like to become a
business sponsor for the BNB program, contact Rick Potter,
SPAS Treasurer, at rpotter5@tampabay.rr.com or 727-822-9637.
 FL SPECIALTIES BUS TRIP –
March 14, 2009 SIGN UP NOW –
SPACE IS LIMITED!
This day-long, whirlwind bus trip, led
by Dave Goodwin, takes us in
search of Florida’s special birds:
Snail Kite, Bachman’s Sparrow,
Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-
cockaded Woodpecker, Swallow-
tailed Kite, Caracara, Scrub Jay,
and Burrowing Owl. We will travel
through central Florida in a 47
passenger motor coach complete
with restroom. The bus leaves promptly at 6:00 a.m. from the
Sears store at 94th Ave. N. and 9th St. in St. Petersburg.
Our round trip excursion will take us to Lake Kissimmee, Three
Lakes Wildlife Management Area, Joe Overstreet Landing,
Lake Okeechobee, Fisheating Creek, and Lorida. We plan to
arrive back in St. Pete. Around 6:00 p.m.
This year, as an added bonus, we will stop for a BBQ lunch at
Forever Florida, so you will only need to bring snacks &
beverages for the day. Water will be provided also. Cost is
$75.00, which includes lunch, bus fare, tolls, & entrance fees.
Your check, made payable to St. Petersburg Audubon, will
confirm your reservation.
Call Mauri Peterson at 727-398-4124 for more information and
to make your reservation now.

NOTES FROM YOUR BIRDING FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR -- JUDI HOPKINS

I appreciate all of the responses to our field trips offered this year! As usual, for reservations and more
information, please call me at 727-526-3725 or email, focus997@verizon.net.

Upcoming trips information: Don’t miss the FL Specialties Bus Trip–a great day for birding and camaraderie!
March 28th – “Here Birdie Birdie” – Ft. DeSoto – Meet at the flagpole by 8:00 a.m.. We’ll look for early migrants!
April 4th – Honeymoon Island. Leader Dave Gagne. Meet 7:30 a.m., McDonald’s, US 19 & Curlew Rd.

Roosevelt Wetlands Field Trip Report–2/7/09--By Jeff Hooks

Judi Hopkins and Mauri Peterson led six birders on a field trip to Roosevelt Wetlands. Although their primary target was the
Limpkin, only one was sighted. The birders speculated that the number of Limpkins had decreased because of the recent water
plant removal that limited the habitat for snails–the Limpkin’s source of food. Mauri spotted an American bittern and most of the
group got a glimpse through her scope. Two Purple Gallinules, iridescent in the sun, provided great looks for everyone. Two
Sedge Wrens briefly appeared in the lake grass, and, while the birders waited for better views, a Swamp Sparrow posed for them.
Among other species, a male Common Yellowthroat also made an appearance as well as a number of Blue-winged Teals and
a Red-shouldered Hawk. Just as the birders were heading to their cars, they flushed a half dozen Wilson’s Snipes to which
Charlie Buhrman responded with his characteristic “I’m having one.” The weather was beautiful, sunny but cool–a nice morning
for birding!

IT’S GREAT TO BE GREEN – WHAT’S MAKING COWS TOOTHLESS? By Barb Howard

We use 68 billion pounds of aluminum each year in everything from cans and packaging to planes and
electric wires. The average person throws away 14.5 pounds of aluminum from packaging and 3 pounds of
aluminum foil per year. Tens of millions of tons of aluminum end up in our landfills even though it is totally recyclable.
Making aluminum from scratch is a toxic and energy intensive process. First the bauxite ore needs to be mined and
extracted from rocks. It then goes to the smelter to be turned into aluminum. During this process toxins are released into the
atmosphere. Cows eat grass tainted by the toxins released during smelting and lose their teeth. These same toxins affect human
health. What can we do?
We need to reduce the amount of new aluminum produced. Aluminum products already in existence can be recycled
over and over again and never break down. Producing aluminum from recycling uses 5% of the energy needed to produce new
aluminum. This saves 20 million barrels of oil per year and 12 billion kWh of electricity. Recycling one aluminum can saves
enough energy resources to power a TV for 4 hours or a CFL for 24 hours. Recycling a pound of aluminum saves enough energy
resources to generate 7.5 kWh of power – that’s enough to power a city the size of Pittsburgh for 6 years. Recycling helps with
energy conservation so new power plants don’t need to be built.
We need to recycle everything aluminum. Curbside and drop-off locations in the area take aluminum cans. If you’re
away from home and there is no recycling, bring the can home with you (most airlines do not recycle their cans). For other
aluminum items like old aluminum cookware, aluminum foil or tins, and scrap metal, look in the Pinellas County “A to Z Recycling
Guide” at www.pinellascounty.org/utilities under “metal scrap.” When you purchase, look for items that don’t contain excess
packaging. Don’t use disposable foil or containers when you can use a re-useable one (remember your Tupperware). Re-use
those disposable aluminum baking pans and recycle them when you’re done – don’t trash them.
Little steps by lots of people make big impacts. Let’s each do our part. The cows will thank us!
Got vampire appliances? Too difficult to climb behind the TV set to unplug it when you’re done watching? Belkin has
come up with a new surge protector that can be switched on and off by remote control. Two plugs stay live for things like DVRs
or Internet routers while the others are shut down. Check it out at www.belkin.com/conserve.
 Belize – 2009
By Lee Snyder

The last day of the SPAS Belize trip starts earlier than any of the other seven.
Up at 5:30. Breakfast at 6. Departure by 7. This is the last day and one of
the fullest. The morning is cool, even cold by Belize standards at 54 degrees
along the elevated 2,000 foot Pine Ridge. We are traveling south and west
from Hidden Valley Lodge toward Guatemala on 34 miles of rough road that,
without stops, will take us more than 2 hours. We do stop to add as many as
30 new bird species to the trip list that tops out at 213. Violaceous
Trogon
© Lee Snyder
The destination is Caracol, an ancient Mayan city that saw its last occupants nearly 1,200 years ago. Excavations have
actively continued for more than 30 years and still less than 10 per cent of the city has been reclaimed from the jungle where as
many as 150,000 people may have lived.
At just over five-feet tall, Rick is our guide. He is 34 years old and describes himself as Mestizo–half Spanish and half
Maya. “My heart is the Maya half,” he says and his pride in his heritage flows through his knowledge. Rick is a superb wildlife
guide who easily identifies birds, trees, butterflies and ants, and who surprises us all with his limitless knowledge of the ruins at
Caracol. Our group is a delightful collection of 12 anxious and intensely curious people–academians, retirees, architects,
photographers and naturalists. Rick has confidant answers for us all.
Caracol is our eighth day. The previous seven we spent roaming the mountain tops and waterfalls at Hidden Valley and
the northern jungles at lowland Chan Chich Lodge. The two accommodations are rightfully described as the finest in Central
America with impeccable service and delightful comfort that soothes after a guided day of watching toucans, parrots, puffbirds
and trogons.
This is our second SPAS-sponsored trip to Belize. This year’s group collects memories that include a Jaguarundi leaping
after an Ocellated Turkey as it crosses in front of our van on a dirt road near Chan Chich. We also claim one of the few verifiable
records of a photographed Solitary Eagle for Belize as it passes 40 feet above our heads on the mountain top that abuts the 1,600
foot nearby waterfall. We collect sightings of no fewer than 25 King
Vultures, a rare Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Great Tinamou, Stygian Owl,
10 hummingbird species, woodpeckers, woodcreepers, grassquits NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
and euphonias.
We climb and walk. We ride over numerous miles of roads
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
in various states of repair and degradation. At the end of each day INTRODUCTORY MEMBERSHIP
we enjoy each other’s company at dinner where laughter is always $20.00 (New membership only)
included. But the most difficult part of any trip comes the morning G Please enroll me as a member in the National Audubon
after your return when you wake up and realize you’re not there Society. Start my subscription to AUDUBON magazine & send
anymore. my membership card.
This was a great experience made even better by the G I do not wish to receive AUDUBON magazine.
people we shared it with. My sincere thanks to you all! G I wish to receive the SPAS WingSpan only electronically.
Name ___________________________________
Looking for Our Next Leader!
Address _________________________________
Are you or someone you know interested in taking the next
City ______________ State___ Zip___________
step with Audubon? If so, let us know–it is time for SPAS
Board Member nominations! Call Jeanne Murphy at 727- Phone __________________
397-2306. Please attend Tuesday, March 17, at 7:00 p.m.
at the Science Center to vote-- E-mail address _____________________________

2009/2010 Potential Board Nominees: Please enclose a check, payable to the National Audubon
Officer Slate Society, mail to:
Mauri Peterson--President St. Petersburg Audubon Society
Maureen Arnold--Vice President Post Office Box 49087
Nancy Ogden--Secretary St. Petersburg, FL 33743-9087
Rick Potter--Treasurer G National Audubon occasionally makes its membership list
available to carefully selected organizations whose mailings you may
find interesting. To have your name omitted from this list, please
Board check here.
Harold Albers Mary Brazier Wanda Dean
G I would also like to help my local chapter. I have a special
Judi Hopkins Saskia James Dave Kandz interest and/or skills in:
Mark Mueller Lee Snyder Alice Tenney G Local conservation issues G Board of Directors
 Audubon Of Florida
cordially invites you to join us for a cocktail party and art exhibit featuring 19th
century engravings of John James Audubon and original hand-colored etchings of John
Costin in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries
Friday, April 3, 2009, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at TECO Plaza Atrium,
702 N. Franklin St., Tampa
R.S.V.P. by phone to (813)623-6826 (see details & link at www.stpeteaudubon.org)
The St. Petersburg Audubon Society NON-PROFIT ORG.
P.O. Box 49087 St. Petersburg, FL 33743-9087 US POSTAGE
www.stpeteaudubon.org 727-384-0027
Address Service Requested PAID
St Petersburg, FL
Chapter Representatives Permit #6340
President: Mauri Peterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398-4124
Vice Pres.: Maureen Arnold (Membership) . . . . . . . . . . 577-0448
Treasurer: Rick Potter (Ways & Means) . . . . . . . . . . . . 822-9637
Secretary: Nancy Ogden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 894-5940
Board Members and Duties:
Harold Albers (Education) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 864-1113
Mary Brazier (Finance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 867-7151
Wanda Dean (Newsletter & Special Events) . . . . . . . . 321-3995
Judi Hopkins (Field Trips) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 526-3725
Barb Howard (Programs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343-1272
Dave Kandz (Conservation & Publicity) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471-0699
Mark Mueller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 686-3179
Jeanne Murphy (Programs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391-8362
Lee Snyder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 865-2293
Alice Tenney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 894-2062

Beach Nesting Birds: Dave Kandz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471-0699

Shell Key: Barb Ranck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374-7039

Koreshan Camping & Corkscrew Sanctuary Duck Hunt–Field Trip to Various Locations
January 17-19 By Lee Snyder January 24, 2009 By John Hood
Camping, clearly, has different connotations for different Having left our shotguns and Labrador retrievers at home
people. Basics include sleeping bags and tents. Our group and armed only with binoculars, spotting scopes, and multiple
constructed tents with electric cords dripping through nylon layers of clothing, 15 intrepid hunters met in the predawn light
walls for toasters (!) and (ugh!) electric blankets. Then there at Jo Jo’s to see what we could “get.” Our fearless leader was
were the mobile campers–pop-ups, modified vans and Doug Clark, whose face was still unscarred at the end of the
elaborate Winnies who shamelessly flaunted their progressive trip. The layers of clothing were shed as the day warmed, but
portable homes. Nonetheless, a representative sample of the binocs and scopes remained firmly in our grasp. The three
campers and birders from SPAS set-up shop at Naples’ ponds on the approach to DeSoto yielded Pied-billed Grebe,
Koreshan State Historic Site and prepared for a tour of nearby Double-crested Cormorant, Mallard, Mottled Duck, Blue-winged
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Teal, Northern Shoveler, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser
The initial Saturday morning Corkscrew boardwalk stroll Scaup, Ruddy Duck, Common Moorhen, American Coot, and
netted 59 species including warblers, waders, woodpeckers and a single Duckus Plasticius. The elusive female Cinnamon Teal
wrens. Painted Buntings, a Corkscrew winter specialty, were was not available for viewing. The trip finished at North Beach.
fairly common with good looks there and later at the camp site. (See www.stpeteaudubon.org for entire report.)
A Saturday afternoon motorized tour of the Corkscrew back
country was a rare treat as was the Sunday evening spaghetti
dinner.
Sunday’s walk through the settlement at Koreshan had Shell Key Shuttle Shell Out
everyone surprised that a self-styled religious group founded a & Sunset Cruises $22/adult
“colony” here in 1894 lasting until its final four participants $11/child <13
deeded the land to the state in 1961. Believing the earth ‘s core
was paradise, the group purchased the land and began actively MERRY PIER
recruiting members. Eventually growing to several hundred
participants, with celibates living on site and families in the 801 Pass-A-Grille Way Ž St. Pete Beach, Florida
nearby communities, the Koreshanities grew their own food and 727-360-1348
generated electricity for their machine shops and laundry–and, www.shellkeyshuttle.com
if still working today--would presumably have had enough Captain Alva Sholty
electricity left over to provide for the various electrical needs of
the SPAS campers–and their electric blankets